Liverpool are close to signing Leverkusen’s Emre Can

Liverpool are set for talks with Emre Can after meeting the £9.75million release clause in his Bayer Leverkusen contract.

Can could become Reds boss Brendan Rodgers’ second summer signing following the £4m acquisition of Southampton striker Rickie Lambert.

Rodgers wants another midfielder in his squad to help compete for the Premier League and Champions League next season, with Can fitting the bill.

And according to reports in Germany, Liverpool have agreed to pay Can’s release clause.

Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has admitted the 20-year-old could be on his way out of the Bundesliga club.”Liverpool are interested in Can, but if the deal is to go through, it would be lucrative and there is a clause in his contract,” Voller said.

German newspaper Bild adds that personal terms are unlikely to provide an obstacle for his switch to Anfield.